"Goose Egg" on calf

[green91]

Please can anyone help?
My 15 year old son is a keen competitive cyclist so is very muscular as a result. On Friday he injured his calf muscle about halfway between ankle and knee on the inside of his leg. The injury was caused by a blow to the area. Within minutes a huge swelling appeared (goose egg?)and he was unable to weight bare. We visited A&E who X-rayed his leg which showed no break. They said it was soft tissue damage and sent us on our way.
Anyway, we elevated his leg, iced it every hour and the swelling went down to just a general swelling of his calf. Monday he was walking normally with very little pain. Suddenly Monday evening the huge goose egg reappeared while he was walking and once again he could not bare weight.
Today he’s walking OK with some pain and his leg shows some signs of bruising around the edge of the swelling which has more or less gone down again.
I am very confused and concerned about this and wondered if anyone knows what it is and what treatment he might need?
Many thanks for any help you can offer.
Rachael

[Heidi]

Hi

I think the most likely cause is a contusion, which is where the muscle is crushed against the bone. These can come in varying severities and can also be inter muscular or intra muscular. You have done the right thing to ice, elevate and rest. Compression may also help to keep the swelling down.
Find out more here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/backlowerleg/calfcontusion.htm

If it is comfortable for him to do so, try some gently, non-weight being active stretches initially (pulling the foot up towards him, hold 3 seconds and repeat), if this is ok, try some normal static stretches, again non-weight bearing to start with (use a towel to pull the foot up).

If there is no improvement after the weekend then I would advise you to go to a sports injury specialist for an assessment.

[green91]

Thanks Heidi,
I will follow your advice,
Rachael

[green91]

Heidi,
Just to update, we saw a sports injury physio who says its a haematoma.
He recommended a couple of sessions of massage and says it will go down with time.
Thanks again for your advice,
rachael